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HISTORICAL SKETCH 



OF 



OIopp'0 ^xU. lurgtttg (l^rounli 



WITH 

INSCRIPTIONS 

AND 

Ye ANCIENT EPITAPHS 



BY 

JOHN NORTON 

HULL STREET, BOSTON 



1921 




llL'l.i. iSlHKKT KMKANC'K, t'OlM'S HILL lU'HYING (.HOUND 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 



OF 



Copp's Hill Burying Ground 



WITH INSCRIPTIONS AND QUAINT EPITAPHS 



BY 
JOHN NORTON 

Hull Street, Boston 



Seventeenth Edition, 1921 






3i o ?^ \ 



HISTORY OF COPFS HILL. 



In early days the well-to-do of Boston dwelt largely in the 
North End, a very pleasant and convenient part of the penin- 
sula. Until the time, just succeeding the Revolution, the North 
End retained its social prominence; then the notables and 
fashionables began to leave it. It was quite natural, therefore, 
in accordance with the custom of the time, that the town should 
early provide a burying-ground in this comparatively well 
settled section. In 1659 there was bought a lot of land on the 
summit of Copp's Hill, which formed the nucleus of the present 
ground. (Suffolk Deed, lib. 53, fol. 153.) 

Copp's Hill was an eminently suitable spot for the purpose. 
Although lower than Beacon Hill and Fort Hill, it was scarcely 
less commanding and seemed equally a topographical feature. 
The rectangular plateau on the summit easily lent itself to burial 
needs. Wood, among the first travellers to record his impres- 
sions of Boston, says in his "New England Prospect" (London, 
1634) : "On the North side is another Hill, equall in bignesse vto 
Fort Hill), whereon stands a Winde-mill." 

This was the first windmill erected in the colony. These old 
windmills, in the days when corn was legal tender, were use- 
ful servants to the community and were a feature of the land- 
scape. Winthrop records a mill built on Windmill Point in 
1636, and three others were put up by 1650. After Boston 
had become a city, the two last surviving windmills still stood 
on Windmill Point. On July 31, 1643, the town granted Henry 
Simons, John Button and others all the land between the Town 
Cove and the marshes beyond, on condition that they erect "one 
or more corne mills, and maynteyne the same forever." The 
"south" and "north" mills were accordingly constructed on 
the shore of the Mill Pond, and others gradually followed, in- 
cluding later a sawmill and a chocolate mill. 

During the first century of its existence the ground was called 
the North burying ground, this name giving way to that of the 
hill itself. On the hill, in turn, three names were successively 
bestowed. 

At first it was generally known as the Mill Hill, and the 
entire district about the hill was also known as the "Mylne 
Field" or "Mill-field," being frequently so named in grants and 
conveyances of land. The early settlers in Watertown had 
there built a windmill ; and Governor Winthrop notes in his 



diary that on August 14, 1632, "the windmill was brought 
downe to Boston, because (where it stoode neere Newtown) 
it would not grind but with a westerly winde." It was set up 
on the summit of Copp's Hill, where for years it ground corn 
for the settlers and served as a landmark to skippers working 
into the harbor. The windmill also gave its name to "ye Mylne 
Field." 

As the old windmill thus lost its uniqueness, the name it had 
given the north hill also lost its hold, being supplanted by that 
of "Snow Hill." This title is now kept only in Snowhill street 
near by. The name may be due to the drifts that successive 
northeasters left piled upon the hill late into the spring, but is 
more probably derived from a certain Snow Hill street ia 
London. 

In its turn this second name gave way to Copp's Hill, so 
called after William Copp, who from about the time of the 
settlement owned and dwelt upon a half-acre lot on the south- 
east corner, near Prince street. The possessions of William 
Copp, who was a worthy shoemaker and an elder in Dr. 
Mather's Church, as set forth in the Boston Book of Posses- 
sions, were "One house & lott of halfe an Acre in the Mill 
field bounded with Thomas Buttolph southeast: John Button 
northeast : the marsh on the southwest : & the River on the 
Northwest." The date of this change in name is not precisely 
known. Some of the maps made at the time of the Revolution 
have the name Copp's Hill attached to that part of the hill 
northwest of Snowhill street, where Copp dwelt. 

The present aspect of Copp's Hill and its surroundings differs 
considerably from that of the early days. Like the other two 
hills, Copp's Hill was quite bare, there being scarcely a tree 
on the peninsula. Dr. Snow, in history of Boston, gives the 
following description of the hill as it appeared in the early 
days : "The hill at the north, rising to the height of about fifty 
feet above the sea, presented then on its north-west brow an 
abrupt declivity, long after known as Copp's Hill steeps. Its 
summit, almost level, extended between Prince and Charter 
streets towards Christ Church ; thence south a gentle slope led 
to the water, which washed the south side of Prince street 
below, and the north side above Thacher street as far as Salem ; 
eastward from the church, a gradual ascent led to the North 
Battery, which was considered the bottom of the hill. South- 
easterly the slope was still more gradual, and terminated at the 
foot of North Square, leaving a knoll on the right, where at 
present stands the meeting-house of the Second Church." 

"On the southerly slope of this hill," says Dr. ShurtleflF in 
his "Topographical Description of Boston," "was Stanley's 
pasture, extending to Hanover street, and covering the large 
tract of land lying between Prince and Charter streets, the 



westerly end of Bennet street at its junction with Salem street 
being the centre of the lot." The owner, a tailor, who died in 
March, 1646, deserves to be remembered as the first person to 
bequeath the town property for the support of public schools, 
one of the items of his will reading, "I give to the maintenance 
of the free schools of Boston a parcell of land lying neere to 
the waterside & foure roads in length backward." 

In the early days, Copp's Hill and the land around its base 
were formed almost into an island by the two coves running 
up into the peninsula — Mill Cove or Pond, or North Cove, as it 
was first called, on the north, and Town Cove on the south. 
The North Cove stretched over to the point extending north- 
west from the Tramount, or Beacon Hill, and high tides often 
swept over the intervening lowlands. The Town Cove, on the 
other side, reached inland almost to the foot of Brattle street. 

At the foot of the headland was a small stretch of beach, 
where Commercial street (formerly Lynn street) now runs, the 
material for the street being taken from the summit of the hill, 
where Snowhill street was cut across. 

Three of the half-dozen points then prominent in the shore 
line were grouped in the Copp's Hill promontory. Where the 
gasometer now stands, Windmill, later Wheeler's Point, pro- 
jected. At the junction of Charter and Commercial streets was 
"Ye Mylne Point," so called in 1635, and later known as Hud- 
son's Point, whence Francis Hudson, the fisherman who be- 
came a ferry-man, ran his ferry to Charlestown and Chelsea. 
Merry's Point, whereon the famous North Battery was built, 
was situated between the Winnisimmet Ferry and Battery 
Wharf, and was so called after Walter Merry, the first Boston 
shipwright, who there built his wharf a few years after the set- 
tlement. 

Around these points gradually grew up a considerable ship- 
wrighting industry, many grants to "wharf out" being recorded 
by 1660. Most notable of the shipyards was that of Joshua 
Gee, as prominent a ship-builder in his day as later was "Billy" 
Gray. In 1698 Governor Bellomont said that Boston owned 
194 good ships, or more than were possessed by all Scotland 
and Ireland. 

A great change in the surroundings of Copp's Hill was inau- 
gurated by the chartering on March 9, 1804, of the Boston Mill 
Corporation, successors to Simons, Button, and others, for the 
purpose of filling up the Mill Pond. After 25 years' work, an 
area of 70 acres was thus added to the town. Beacon Hill was 
mainly resorted to for filling, but beginning with 1806 earth 
was also taken during several years from Copp's Hill, lowering 
its height about seven feet. 

At the northeastern base of the hill dwelt Boston's first col- 
ored colony, then called "New Guinea." Inland, as far as the 



neck crossed by the Mill Creek, ran the quaint, garden-fringed 
streets of the Old North End, the good end of the town. It 
was then of limited area, containing, according to Shurtleff, 
but 680 houses at the beginning of its social decay at the end 
of the Revolution, and measuring but 803 yards in length and 
726 yards in breadth. From this territory, during a century and 
a half, came most of the tenants of Copp's Hill. 

The burying-ground itself comprises four successively 
acquired parcels of land, and is the largest in the city proper, 
the total area aggregating 88,800 square feet, or about two 
acres. It lies to-day between Hull, Snowhill, and Charter 
streets, the exact boundaries being as follows : On the north- 
east, about 314 feet by Charter street; on the north-west, about 
324 feet by Snowhill street, above which the burying ground 
rises twenty feet, being supported by a granite wall ; on the 
southwest, about 330 feet by Hull street; on the northeast 
about 120 feet by Marshall place and about 127 feet by private 
property ; and on the southeast, about 123 feet by private property 
and the Hull-street Primary School. 

The land for the North Burying-Ground was purchased of 
John Baker and Daniel Turell, and in I735?the transaction is 
recorded as follows, under date of February 20, 1659, in the 
Suffolk Deeds, lib. 53, fol. 153 : "John Baker and Daniel Turell, 
sell to the Selectmen of Boston, a lot of land, 294 feet on the 
northerly side, 252 feet on the southerly side ; in breadth on the 
easterly end 126 feet. Butting on the way that leadeth from 
the new meeting-house in Boston towards Charlestown Ferry, 
on the north; on the land of William Phillips, southerly; on 
the land of John Baker and Daniel Turell, easterly; and on 
the way that leadeth from Senter haven to Charlestown Ferry, 
westerly." 

The North Burying-Ground is thus second in point of time to 
King's Chapel, although the Granary is practically contem- 
poraneous with it. Concerning the piece of land that had been 
bought, the town passed the following order November 5, 1660: 
"Itt is ordered that the old burying place shall bee wholly 
deserted for some convenient season, and the new places ap- 
pointed for burying onely be made use of." The only entrance 
at the time was from Charter street until the next addition was 
made, forty years later. 

By the beginning of the eighteenth century, enlargement had 
become necessary, but, as was usual with the town burying- 
grounds, was effected only with difficulty and when it could no 
longer be postponed by overcrowding the existing space. The 
town had voted for enlargement some time before it was accom- 
plished, appointing a committee which seems rather to have 
neglected its duty. It was discharged and another appointed, 
consisting of Hon. Thomas Hutchinson, Timothy Thornton, 



and Edward Martyn, by whom the necessary land was promptly 
purchased, January 7, 1708. It was sold to the town by Judge 
Samuel Sewall and his wife Hannah, and formed a correspond- 
ing section to the old ground on the southwest, fronting on 
Hull street. It was part of the pasture which Mrs. Sewall had 
inherited from her father, John Hull, master of the mint. The 
deed is dated December 17, 171 1 (Suffolk Deeds, lib. 26, fol. 
97). The tract thus added was nearly square in shape and on 
three sides was bounded by streets. It was included in the old 
North Burying-Ground. The principal path on the east hill, 
east of the tool house and parallel to Charter street, follows 
approximately the boundary separating the Sewall purchase 
from the original burying-ground. 

The tract long known as the New North Burying-Ground, 
and now called simply the Small Ground, was added by pur- 
chase in 1809. The deed is recorded as follows under date of 
December 18, 1809: "For $10,000, Benjamin Weld, and his wife 
Nabby, sold to the Town of Boston a parcel of land, bounded 
south-west on Hull street 148 feet; north-west on the burying- 
ground, 148 feet and 6 inches ; north-east on land of Goodwin 
and others, 153 feet; south-east on land of Jonathan Merry? 123 
feet; being land conveyed to Weld by Merry, October 21, 1809, 
recorded lib. 230, fol. 191." 

This lot also is nearly square, and somewhat less than one- 
half the size of the old yard. It comprised part of Jonathan 
Merry's pasture, Merry selling it to Mr. Weld, who disposed of 
it to the town. It was long known as the New North Burying- 
Ground, and is now called the Small Ground. 

In 1814 Hon. Charles Wells, later mayor of Boston, built 
52 tombs around the sides of this enclosure, and in 1827 Edward 
Bell built 15 more on the site of the gun-house of the Colum- 
bian artillery. The new ground was laid out symmetrically 
in tiers and several bodies were interred in each grave. The 
first interment was that of John Richardson, July 6, 1810, who 
had been drowned a few days before. 

Again, in 1819, Hon. Charles Wells became the owner of a 
small tract, usually called the Charter-Street Burying-Ground, 
between the old and new grounds and Marshall place and 
fronting on Charter street. The purchase is recorded as fol- 
lows in Suffolk Deeds, lib. 262, fol. 296: "June 3, 1819, John 
Bishop, of Medford, sold to Charles Wells, for $1,051.30, land 
in Charter street, bounded north-east on said street 20 feet; 
north-easterly on the burying-ground 20 feet wide ; then con- 
tinuing westerly, 70 feet on the burying-ground 20 feet wide; 
then continuing 50 feet more, 28 feet wide; south-west 28 feet 
on land formerly of Dr. Wm. Clark, but now a burying-ground ; 
then south-east 50 feet, 28 feet wide, then continuing 70 feet 
more, 20 feet wide, on land formerly owned by William Fowle; 



being the land which Stephen Gorham, as administrator of 
Nathaniel Holmes, sold to said Bishop, December 14, lygiy 
recorded lib. 184, fol. 59." 

This small lot Mr. Wells had fenced in, and upon it, with the 
consent of the town, he erected 34 tombs. The intervening 
fence was later removed, and the yard became part of the old 
cemetery. 

In 1832 a final purchase was made by Mr. Jacob Hall and 
others of a strip of land adjoining the northwestern side of 
the old burying-ground, which was given the title of "Hull- 
Street Cemetery." In 1853 this section was discontinued, and 
the bodies it contained removed to Mt. Hope in February, 1861. 
This strip was on the present site of the gasometer and con- 
tained several rows of tombs. The proprietors at the same 
time relinquished certain rights of way to that part of Snow- 
hill street, from Hull to Charter street, which had been merely 
a private foot-passage, and the City agreed to maintain here a 
public walk 33 feet wide. 

A similar private burying-ground of much more ancient date 
and of smaller extent is still kept intact in the very centre of 
the cemetery. Judge Sewall and his wife, on January 7, 1708, 
sold to Joshua Gee, the noted ship-builder, a small portion of 
their pasture "one rodd square, in consideration of two and 
thirty shillings paid them, being part of their pasture adjoining 
to the north burying-place, in which parcel of ground Mrs. 
Mary Thacher now lyeth buried; bounded northerly by the 
said burying-ground and on all other sides by the land of 
the said Samuel and Hannah Sewall, with no right of way 
except through the old burying-place." Mr. Gee bought it at 
the urging of his wife, who did not care to be buried among the 
common multitude. The only restriction was that he should 
maintain one-half the fence. The Mrs. Thacher who lay buried 
therein was the wife of Judah Thacher of Yarmouth, and had 
died November 30, 1708, aged 68. Her gravestone is standing 
in the northeast corner of the little plot. 

This enclosure later became the property of Deacon Moses 
Grant, one of the leaders of the Boston Tea Party. It is yet 
held in the family, being in possession of the heirs of the late 
Moses Grant, the temperance lecturer, and contains the remains 
of three generations. The spot is still private property, quite 
exempt from control of the burying-ground authorities. 

By 1840 burials on Copp's Hill had become comparatively 
infrequent, and there was no further need of expansion. Beside 
the changes during 180 years, there were minor alterations in 
the appearance of the burying-ground. 

When Snowhill street was cut through the edge of the old 
bluflF and extended northerly to Charter street it encountered a 
row of old tombs, having a walk leading from end to end, with 

8 



steps at each extremity. The entrances to these tombs and the 
tablets thereon were transferred within the fence. About 1837 
the whole western slope beyond Snowhill street was dug away 
and the existing heavy granite wall erected to protect the bury- 
ing-ground. 

During the period from the Revolution to 1830 the burying- 
ground began to be neglected, until on May 27, 1833, the cit)=- 
appropriated $50 for the purchase of trees to ornament the 
grounds. To-day there are almost 200 trees in the ground. 
New walks were laid out in 1838, and many stones were then 
or since removed or altered in position with the same mistaken 
efforts at symmetry that have been remarked in the case of 
King's Chapel Ground. 

By 1878 the hill had again fallen into decay, and become sub- 
ject to all kinds of depredations. 

Two hundred and twenty-seven tombs are contained within 
the burying-ground. Two of the number belong to the City, 
one for adults near Charter street, and one for children near 
Hull street, built in June, 1833. Nearby is a large tomb, set 
aside about 1840 for mariners. The oldest tombs were built in 
1717, shortly after the Sewall purchase, and front on Hull 
street. In 1722 a new range of tombs, running north, was 
started at the southeast corner on Hull street. The selectmen's 
records down to 1806 contain numerous grants of permission to 
erect tombs, almost invariably with the provision that "the 
brick wall thereof be carried up so as to be a sufficient fence." 
In 1805 were constructed the tombs on Snowhill street, and in 
1807 those fronting on Charter street. We have already re- 
corded the later erection of tombs in 1814, 1819, 1827, and 1832. 
The latter date practically ends the growth of the burying- 
ground. 

During the century to 1760, it is estimated that one-fourth the 
population of the town was buried on Copp's Hill. The de- 
caying stones form a rude epitome of most of the North End's 
history. 

That part of the ground near Snowhill street was at first 
reserved for slaves and freedmen. The remainder contains gen- 
erations of the old North Enders, some of them famous in local 
history, other simple folk who have left merely a name. 

The date of the first interment is unknown, although probably 
occurring around 1660, and there is some doubt as to the iden- 
tity of the oldest stone. Apparently it is that erected to the 
memory of Grace Berry, wife of Thomas Berry, who, according 
to the inscription, died May 17, 1625, or five years before Boston 
was settled. The stone is of old Welsh slate, well preserved 
and with the carving quite distinct; the edges are ornamented 
with curves and at the top are carved two cherubs and the angel 



of death. There is also cut a shield, without quartering of 
arms. The marks of British bullets are visible, this stone, like 
many others on the hill, having been a target for the British 
soldiers during the siege of Boston. 

It has generally been held that the true date on the Grace 
Berry stone is 1695, a boyish freak of Mr. George Darracott 
having led him to change the figure 9 with his jack-knife into 
the figure 2 ; in the same fashion the date on the stone of John 
Thwing in King's Chapel Ground was altered from 1690 to 1620. 
In like manner the dates upon the stones of John White and of 
Joanna, the six-months-old daughter of William and Anne 
Copp, has been altered to 1625, and that of Abigail Everden's 
death to 1626. Like vandalism is evident in the old Charles- 
town burying-ground. 

There is little likelihood that the trouble would be taken, in 
the early days of perilous travelling, to transport the remains 
of a person of no particular note over the long journey from 
Plymouth to Boston, and at a date 35 years after interment. 
Beyond this, moreover, the fact is that Grace Berry, who was 
the daughter of Major John Jayman, a rope-maker, was living 
in the flesh with her husband, Thomas Berry, in their house 
near the Ship Tavern, at the junction of Ship (North) and 
Clark streets, very many years after her reputed death in 1625. 

The oldest stone, accordingly, is one bearing the date 1661, 
which was found buried beneath the surface in 1878. It stands 
near the Shaw monument, and preserves the memory of the 
grandchildren of William Copp in the following inscription: 

DAVID SON TO DAVID THOMAS, SON TO DAVID 

COPP & OBEDIENCE HIS COPP & OBEDIENCE HIS WIFE 

WIFE AGED 2 WEEKS AGED 2 YEARS & 3 QUARTERS 
DYED DEC 22 DYED JULY YE 25 

1661 1678 

Near the centre of the yard is erected the stone commemora- 
ting the Kind children, long supposed the oldest stone, but 
really second in point of age by some six months. It was dug 
up in the 40's by Mr. Glidden, and reads : 

MARY KIND WILLIAM KIND 

AGED AGED ABOUT 1 YEAR DYED 

DIED YE 15 OF AUGUST YE 14 OF FEBRUARY 

1662 1666 

THE CHILDREN OF ARTHUR AND JANE KIND. 

William Copp, who gave his name to the hill, is buried in 
this ground, but no stone to his memory is now extant, and 
not much is known of him. In his will, dated October 31, 1662, 
and proved April 27, 1670, made after he had become "sick and 

10 



weak," he terms himself a cordwainer, or shoemaker, by trade, 
and leaves his property to his wife "Goodeth," or Judith. The 
inventory shows property of the respectable sum for those days 
of almost iiio, including houses, outhouses, orchard, garden 
and land, to the value of i8o. 

The stone erected in memory of his wife Judith may be found 
in the northern part of the yard, between the Shaw monument 
and the Grant tomb. It is small in size, and extends but a few 
inches above the ground. 

Many of the name of Copp were buried here. Beside that of 
little Joanna Copp, however, and the two grandchildren men- 
tioned above, only eight stones still remain. David Copp was 
the most notable member of the family. He was an elder in 
Cotton Mather's Church, and of considerable prominence in the 
North End, dwelling in a brick house at the head of Hull street 
He died November 20, 1713, aged 78. Amy, his second wife, 
died November 28, 1718, at the age of 82. The stone is left 
standing to record the name of his first wife, who was Obedience 
Topliflf. At his funeral Judge Sewall notes that there was pres- 
ent a distinguished company, with "a pretty many Men, but 
few Women." 

The Colony record show that William Copp was made a 
freedman on June 2, 1641, and David on October 11, 1670. The 
other children of William Copp are recorded as follows: Jona- 
than, born August 23, 1640; Rebecca, May 6, 1641, and Ruth, 
September 24, 1643. In later days the Copp family removed 
to Connecticut. 

A long list might be made of the tenants of Copp's Hill who 

possess claim to mention, as being at least of local note — di- 
vines, scholars, and patriots. 

Doubtless the most famous tomb in the ground is that near 
the Charter-street gate, containing the remains of the Mathers, 
Increase, Cotton and Samuel — the "Mather dynasty," compris- 
ing three generations of divines. The tomb is of brick, plainly 
built, and is surrounded by iron railings. A great slab of 
brown stone forms the lid, in which are set two squares of slate, 
of different dates. On the more ancient, in almost illegible let- 
tering, is carved the following inscription : 

THE REVEREND DOCTORS 
INCREASE, COTTON, 
& SAMUEL MATHER 
were intered in this Vault. 
Tis the Tomb of our Father's 
MATHER— CROCKERS 
I DIED Augt27th 1723 M 84 
C DIED FEB 13th 1727 M 65 
S DIED June 27th 1785 M 7g 

11 



Here He together the three eminent figures in Boston's eccle- 
siastical history between 1664 and the Revolution, men of great 
general learning, of emphatic temperament and of remarkable 
influence in the affairs of the age. Their history needs no re- 
counting. They were buried with great solemnity. Six of the 
leading ministers formed Cotton Mather's pallbearers, while in 
the funeral procession walked the public dignitaries. The nar- 
row streets were thronged, and the "windows were filled with 
sorrowful spectators all the way to the burying-place." 

Many of the numerous descendants of the Mathers also rest 
in this tomb. Cotton Mather, for instance, had fifteen children 
by the first two of his three wives. When the tomb was last 
opened sixteen years ago, for the interment of one of the 
Crocker family, the remains of generations of the family were 
found heaped in great disorder. 

The Hutchinson tomb, in the southeast corner, was built 
about 171 1. Here were buried Elisha and Thomas Hutchinson, 
father and grandfather of the governor. Thomas Hutchinson, 
who died December 31, 1789, built at his own expense the first 
school-house in the North End, On the sandstone slab cover- 
ing the entrance of tomb is beautifully carved the family coat 
of arms. Thomas Lewis purchased the tomb and the name of 
Lewis is engraved on this slab. 

Another notable stone is that commemorating the patriot, 
Capt. Daniel Malcom. It is of hard blue slate, well preserved, 
and bears the following inscription: 

Here lies buried in a 
Stone Grave 10 feet deep 
CAPT. DANIEL MALCOM MERCHT. 
who departed this life 
October 23d 
1769 
Aged 44 years, 
a true son of Liberty 
a Friend to the Publick 
an Enemy to oppression 
and one of the foremost 
in opposing the Revenue Acts 
on America. 

The above is referred to in O. W. Holmes' "Grandmother's 
Story of Bunker Hill." 

"You may bang the dirt and welcome, they're as safe as 
Dan'l Malcolm 
Ten foot beneath the gravestone that you've 
splintered with your balls." 

The stone grave, however, is built of brick. 

Malcom was a merchant, and his store on Fleet street was a 
favorite resort of the haters of the revenue acts. He was also 
a warden of Christ Church and vice-president of the Charitable 

12 




3^ 



-^,^' 



' - ■ ~^^ifeg 




MALCOLM TOMB. (See page 12.) 



Irish Society. In February, 1768, aided by friends armed with 
clubs, he smuggled in at night a cargo of sixty casks of wine 
from a vessel anchored five miles down the harbor. A little 
later he presided over a meeting of business men, at which it 
was resolved to import no more English goods, except those 
needed for the fisheries, for a year and a half. Some months 
afterward he was one of the leaders in the mob which resisted 
the seizure of John Hancock's sloop "Liberty" by the boats of 
the British frigate "Romney." He was decidedly obnoxious 
to the King's officers, and six years after his death the British 
soldiers made his tombstone a particular target, the bullet 
marks being very conspicuous. 

In the northwestern part of the ground is the stone of Capt. 
Thomas Lake, bearing the following inscription : 

Capt. 

Thomas Lake 

Aged 61 Yeeres 

An EmineNet Faithfvll 

ServaN of God & One 

Of a Publick Spirit Was 

Perfidovsly Slain By 
ye Indians At Kennibeck 

Avgvst ye 14th 1676 

HERE Interred HE 13 

Of March Following 

The story runs that the deep slit cut into the stone was filled 
with melted bullets taken from his body. The knives of relic 
hunters, however, have left no vestige of the lead. 

Captain Lake was a man of fortune, being one of the earliest 
proprietors of lands in Maine and New Hampshire anO actively 
engaged in commercial pursuits. He commanded the Ancient 
and Honorable Artillery Company in 1662 and 1674. He served 
in the early part of King Philip's War, then departing for 
Arowsick Island, Maine, which he owned jointly with Captain 
Thomas Clarke. His body was not discovered until seven 
months after he had been slain, his fate being meanwhile 
unknown. 

Not far from the Lake stone is a large slate block preserving 
the memory of Nicholas Upshall, who died in August, 1666, 
aged about 70. He is notable as furnishing one of the good 
examples of religious toleration in the early days, and although 
a man of much property and influence, as well as a prominent 
member of the church, he fell a victim to the intolerance of his 
fellow townsmen. He owned land in 1637 from Hanover street 
to the waterside on the northeast side of Richmond street, and 
was the twenty-third original member of the Ancient and Hon- 
orable Artillery Company. His main offence was his kindness 
towards the Quakers, who were zealously prosecuted by cer- 
tain authorities from Governor Endicott down. For bribing the 

13 



jail-keeper to supply two imprisoned Quaker women with food 
he was fined £20 and banished. He resided in Rhode Island 
during- the remaining six years of Governor Endicott's rule, and 
on his return gave the Quakers the free use of a room in his 
house, which for a long time subsequent was known as the 
"Old Red Lyon Inn," He is referred to as follows in the "His- 
tory of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company": "Prop- 
erty, moral worth, public services, wife, children, friends, cannot 
preserve a man from the ruthless fangs of religious persecution. 
The respectable Quakers of the present day (Lynn) have recently 
reclaimed the remains of their former brethren from the old 
Quaker burying-ground lest rapacious hands of speculation 
should trespass further. Why do they not redeem the ashes 
of those who may be considered among the first martyrs of 
their sect?" 

In December, 1878, there was discovered among five stones 
closing the entrance to an old tomb one with the following 
inscription: "Recompense Wadsworth, A.M. First Master of 
ye Grammar Free School at ye North End of Boston. Aged 
about 25 years ; Died June ye 9th, 1713." The establishment 
of this school was voted at a town meeting on March 11, 1711- 
12, and on March 9, succeeding, the selectmen were "empow- 
ered to introduce Mr. Recompense Wadsworth at the North 
End, and to allow him sixty pounds for one year." The young 
teacher died after teaching for six months in the new school- 
house which was built on Bennet street in 1713. 

One of the most finely carved armorial bearings in the ceme- 
tery is that chiselled on the well-preserved slate stone over the 
Clark tomb near the main gate. The inscription reads: 

HERE LYES THE MORTAL PART 

of 

(William Clark Esqr.) 

An Eminent Merchant of this Town, and 

An Honorable Coun/^ellor for the Province; 

Who Di/tingui/hed Himfelf as 

A Faithful and Affectionate Friend 

A Fair and generous Trader; 

Loyal to his (Prince), Yet always 

Zealous for the Freedom of his Countrey; 

A De/pi/er of Sorry Per/ons and fiecle Actions, 

An Enemy to Priestcraft and Enthusiasm 

Ready to relieve and help the Wretched; 

A Lover of good Men of Various Denominations 

And a Reverent Wor/hipper of the (Deity) 

William Clark was one of the wealthiest ship-owners of the 
time and an original member of Christ Church, His brick 
mansion on the corner of Garden court and Prince street, later 
occupied by Sir Henry Frankland, the collector of customs, was 
among the finest in town. In the French wars he suffered the 

14 



loss of forty ships, which, with other reverses, is said to have 
hastened his end. 

In the adjoining tomb sleeps Dr. John Clark, brother to the 
merchant, a very worthy physician according to the Latin 
eulogy upon his finely carved tombstone. The seven succeed- 
ing generations of the family each produced a physician of the 
same name. 

Among the most illustrious by birth of the burying-ground's 
tenants were the Mountforts, long a prominent North End 
family. Tomb No. 17, on the Hull street side, built in 171 1, 
bears the name of John Mountfort ; and No. 59, erected in 1724, 
that of Jonathan Mountfort, together with the family coat of 
arms. The two were sons of Edmund Mountfort, who fled 
from London in 1656 on account of political offences. He mar- 
ried a granddaughter of Nicholas Upshall, and died in 1723, 
being buried in the Granary. The Mountforts traced their 
descent to an ancient Norman family, scions of which came over 
with the Conquest. Tur stain de Mountfort, 1030, is mentioned 
in Dugdale's "History of Warwickshire." 

Jonathan Mountfort was a wealthy physician and apothe- 
cary, his shop being long known as "Mountfort's Corner," and 
was of a decidedly eccentric temperament. He was one of the 
seceders from the New North Church in 1719, and helped build 
the "New Brick" or "Weathercock" Church, of which he was 
chosen treasurer. 

John Mountfort was a member of the Ancient and Honorable 
Artillery Company in 1696, and owner of Mountfort's wharf. 
His descendants long resided on Prince street. 

Another tomb emblazoned with family arms is that of the 
family of Joshua Gee, one of the most famous of the old ship- 
wrights, who, as we have noted, purchased the small private 
lot in the centre of the ground. The inscription on his tomb 
reads simply: "The Arms and Tomb belonging to the family of 
Gee." The noted Gee shipyard was located on the southwest 
side of Prince street, while the family mansion stood on the 
corner of Salem and Prince streets, known as "Gee's Corner." 
The adjoining lands were also in possession of the Gees. Judge 
Sewall frequently mentions dining with the Gees. 

A plain white stone in the northwest corner, bearing the 
simple inscription, "Edmund Hartt's Tomb, 1806," records the 
memory of the yet more famous builder of the "Constitution" 
and the "Boston." 

In the western part of the yard is the Mariner's Tomb, 
"Dedicated to the Seamen of All Nations, by Phineas Stowe, 
Pastor of the First Baptist Bethel Church, Boston, 185 1." It 
contains the remains of Emily, wife of Dr. Stowe, who died 
on the day the monument over the tomb was completed, and 

15 



also those of four sailors. The cost of erection was met by 
contributions from seamen and their friends, the crew of the 
United States sloop-of-war Albany giving $52. 

A tragic history is told by the large triple stone near the tool- 
house, which preserves in intricate lettering the memory of 
George Worthylake, aged 45 ; his wife Ann, 40, and their 
daughter, Ruth, 13. Worthylake, who had been brought up on 
George's Island, was the first keeper of Boston Light. On 
November 3, 1718, the family set sail for Noddle's Island, but 
the craft capsizing, they "took in heaven by the way," accord- 
ing to the old historian. Franklin, then a printer's apprentice 
to his brother, at the latter's urging, took this incident as the 
theme for a street ballad, called the "Lighthouse Tragedy." 
Although "wretched stuff," according to the author, and se- 
verely criticised by his father, it had a considerable sale. Un- 
fortunately no copy is now extant. 

In the northern part of the ground, in a plain brick vault, lie 
the remains of Chief Justice Parker. Near the northwest 
angle is the much more pretentious monument to Charles Jar- 
vis, a noted local politician, who died in 1807, aged 59, "a 
Statesman, Patriot, and an honest Man, whose dignified De- 
portment, sublime Eloquence, unbounded Philanthropy, and 
other Virtues endeared his memory to his Fellow Citizens." A 
few feet away is the vault once owned by Governor Christopher 
Gore. 

Perhaps the most ornate monument in the ground is that 
erected by Isaac Dupee, and bearing a beautifully carved coat- 
of-arms, together with the following tribute in verse: 

MY NAME FROM THE PALMS OF HIS HANDS 

ETERNITY WILL NOT ERASE ; 
IMPRESSED ON HIS HEART, IT REMAINS 

IN MARKS OF INDELIBLE GRACE. 
YES, I TO THE END SHALL ENDURE. 

AS SURE AS THE EARNEST IS GIVEN, 
MORE HAPPY, BUT NOT MORE SECURE, 

THE GLORIFIED SPIRITS IN HEAVEN. 

This inscription owes its oddity to the fact that the four coup- 
lets are taken from different parts of the Bible and put together 
in good sense rhyme. The quotations are respectively from — 
I Cor. XV, 49 ; I John Iv, 8 ; Matthew v, 9 ; Ephesians i, 9, 10. 

A simply inscribed stone records the death in 1778, at the 
age of 66, of Dr. Andrew Eliot, the well-beloved pastor of the 
New North Church. A beautiful co^t-of-arms, said not to 
belong to the family, is carved on the obverse side. Dr. Eliot's 
house is still standing at the corner of Hanover and Tileston 
streets. 

16 



Timothy Thornton, who died Sept. 19, 1726, aged 79, was one 
of the committee which negotiated the Sewall purchase. He 
was also prominent in town affairs, being several times town 
commissioner and selectman, as well as in the General Court 
and serving on the committee appointed to issue bills of credit 
to pay the debts incurred in the French and Indian wars — the 
first paper currency issued in Massachusetts. 

Edward Martyn, another of the committee, sleeps at the right 
of the Hull-street entrance. His tombstone bears an elaborate 
coat-of-arms. He commanded the Ancient and Honorable Ar- 
tillery Company in 1715, and once owned most of the land from 
Hanover street to the sea. 

Beside the Ellis tomb and monument in the northeast comer 
of the ground for over forty years grew a willow tree of inter- 
esting origin. It was brought as a slip from the willow that 
shades the grave of Napoleon at St. Helena by Capt. Joseph 
Leonard in 1844, ^^'^ here transplanted by Roland Ellis. It 
was destroyed by the great gale of 1888. 

In the centre of the yard stands the tombstone of one of the 
foremost of the Quakers, William Mumford, who died in No- 
vember, 1 718, at the age of yy. He was a stonecutter and 
builder, and on July 10, 1694, bought a lot in Brattle Square, 
whereon he erected the first Quaker meeting-house, which was 
as well the first brick church built in the town. In January, 
1708, he purchased another lot on Congress street, and there 
built a second meeting-house, to which the Quakers repaired 
after selling the earlier edifice. Part of this lot constituted the 
Quaker burying-ground, until the remains contained therein 
were removed to Lynn in 1825. 

On the northern slope of the ground is the monument erected 
in 1848 to Major Samuel Shaw, by his grandson, Robert G. 
Shaw. The story of the soldier's life is briefly told by the in- 
scription, which runs : 

(MAJOR SAMUEL SHAW,) 

third son of 

Francis & Sarah, served as an 

Officer in the Revolutionary War, 

from its commencement to 

its close. 

On the 22d of Feb. 1784, he sailed 

from New York in the Ship 

Empress of China, for Canton, as 

Supercargo & part owner; 

this being the first vessel that 

sailed from the U. States for 

that place 

he was appointed by Washington 

Consul to China, which office he 

held until his death in 1794 

17 



Near the front gate sleeps a fellow-soldier, Major Thomas 
Seward, who "gallantly fought in our late Revolutionary War 
and through its various Scenes behaved with Patriotic Forti- 
tude and died in the Calms of Domestic Felicity as becomes a 
Universal Christian, November 27th, 1800, AE 60." 

The following commanders of the Ancient and Honorable 
Artillery Company are interred in the ground : Capt. Thomas 
Lake, Capt. Ralph Hart, Col. John Carnes, Capt. Caleb Lyman, 
and Capt. Edward Martyn. 

On the western slope of the hill is the stone recording the 
name of Deacon Shemm Drowne, Hawthorne's famous carver 
in wood, who wrought the grasshopper on the Faneuil Hall 
vane. He died in 1774 at the ripe age of 90. 

Nearby rests Captain John Pulling, died January 25, 1787, at 
the age of 51, after whom was named the headland in Chelsea 
fronting on the water. 

Another noteworthy stone is that erected in memory of 
Prince Hall, first Grand Master of the colored Grand Lodge 
of Masons in Massachusetts. 

A rather pathetic inscription is that on a stone near the Snow- 
hill-street path, reading: 

In memory of 

BETSY. 

Wife of David Darling, 

died March 23d, 1809 M 43 

She was the mother of 17 children, and around 

her lies 12 of them, and 2 were lost at sea. 

BROTHER SEXTONS, 

please leave a clear birth for me 

near by this Stone. 

The request was not heeded, as Mr. Darling, who was sexton 
of the North Church and also grave-digger in the yard, was 
buried in another part of the ground. 

Mention should not be neglected of a tiny stone in the north- 
ern part of the yard, reading: 

SARAH RULE 

aged 9 years 

died 

July ye 5 1690 

This little lass is the one who daubed with ink the papers of 
Cotton Mather, moving the worthy divine to great wrath. 

These are a few of the more notable stones that claim the 
attention of the rambler in Copp's Hill. Almost equally note- 
worthy are the old epitaphs, many of them, as is usual in old 
burying-grounds, quaint and curious, some incoherent and un- 
grammatical. Doubtless the oddest and most puzzling is that 

18 



over the grave of Mrs. Ammey Hunt, who died in 1769. We 
have no clue to the neighborhood gossip hinted at in these 
peculiar lines: 

A sister of Sarah Lucas lieth here, 

Whom I did Love moft Dear; 

And now her Soul hath took its Flight, 

And bid her Spightful Foes good Night. 

Even more amusing is the tradition connected with the fol- 
lowing conventional stanza on the stone of Mrs. Mary Huntley : 

Stop here my friends & cast an eye, 
As you are now, so once was I; 
As I am now, so you must be, 
Prepare for death and follow me. 

A young wag is skid to have added in chalk: 

To follow you I'm not content 
Unless I know which way you went. 

Miss Mary Boucher, died Sept. 2, 1767, aged 18: 

Some hearty Friend may drop a tear 
On the/e dry bones and say 
Thefe limbs were Active once like thine 
But thine muft be as they. 

Some of the other more interesting epitaphs follow: 

Henry D. Emerson, d. Aug. 16, 1840, aged 4: 

"Like a bright flower he was cut down." 

Peter Oilman, April 12, 1807, aged 42 : 

"Stop my friends, and in a mirroir ^ee 
What you, though e'er so healthy, soon muft be. 
Beauty, with all her rosebuds, paints each face; 
Approaching death will strip you of each grace." 

Mrs. Betsey Pitman, 1784, aged 27: 

" Ha/te : ha/"te he lies in wait. He's at the door. 
Insidious Death : /"hould his/ strong hand arreA, 
No composition sets the prisoner free." 

Elijah Swift, May 9, 1803, aged 73 : 

"A wits a feather, and a chief's a rod; 

An honest man's the noblest work of God." 

Miss Polly Tidmarch Barker, died Sept. 24, 1798, aged 17: 

Sleep on, dear Youth, God ^aw it heft 
To waft you to eternal Re/t. 

Mrs. Eliza Fuller, Sept. 16, 1806, aged 22: 

"An angel's arm can't snatch me from the grave, 
Legions of angels can't confine me there." 

19 



On an old monument near the Winslow tomb : 

"A SAMUEL returned to God in Christ 
After a short abode on earth 
To shun earth's harmes and crimes 
Was here well put to bed betimes 
The grave's as short as you prepare 
Lest thy death come at unaware." 

Miss Polly Bill, died Aug. 30, 1782, aged 21 : 

The Sweet Remembrance of the Just 
Shall Flourish when they Sleep in Drift 

James Seward, died 1792, aged 6 months: 

"He bore a lingering sickness with patience, and met the King ol 
Terrors with a smile." 

The prophecy contained in the following inscription on the 
stone of Major John Ruddock, who died in 1772, was literally 
fulfilled, the words having almost entirely disappeared: 

"Time may efface this monumental stone, 
But time nor malice can his worth dethrone 
For villians living oft may buy a name. 
But virtue only swells posthumous fame." 

The following lines are carved on an old foot-stone, without 
name or date, probably erected about 1700: 

"What is t fond mortal yt thou wouldst obtain 
By spining out a painful life of cares; 

Thou livest to act thy childhood ore agfain. 

And nought intends but grief and seeing years, 

Who leaves this world like me just in my prime 

Speeds all my business in a litel time." 

Mrs. Eliza Meria Revere, died 1804, aged 28: 

"Death with his dart has pierced my heart, 

When I was in my prime; 
When this you fte grieve not for me, 

Twas God's appointed time." 

Capt. Rbert Newman, died i8o6,aged 51 : 

"Though, Neptune's waves and boreas's blasts 

Have tost' me to and fro: 
Now well escap'd from all their rage, 
I'm anchor'd here below, 
Safely I ride in triumph here, 

With many of our fleet. 
Till signals call to weigh again. 

Our admiral Christ to meet 
O may all those I've left behind 

Be wash'd in Jesus's blood, 
And when they leave the world of sin 

Be ever with the Lord." 

20 




THK ISAAC DUPEE MONUMENT. (See page IG.) 



Elizabeth Kenney, Sept lo, 1807, — 42, 

In the cold mansions of the silent tomb, 
How still the solitude, how deep the gloom, 
Here sleeps the duft, unconscious close confin'd 
But far, far distant dwells the immortal mind. 

Miss Elizabeth Furber, died May 10, 1790, aged 41 : 

Christ the Redeemer is my Deliverer 
from chains, & the Power of Death 
Jesus, amid the conflagration will ^ine 
forth, as a Conqueror for me, over Sin 
Destruction & the King of Terors. 

Miss Ellsy Gardner, died Nov. 17, 1800, aged 5 yrs., 9 mos. 

Sleep on /'weet babe and take thy re^ 
To call the home God saw it heft. 

Mrs. Hannah Giles, died Aug. 12, 1805, aged 26: 

Surviving friends dry up the falling tear 
A little while our Saviour will appear; 
Prepare to meet with joy at Chris's right hand. 
Where free from fin each /aint will perfect ftand. 

Eliza Starr, died June 8, 1800, — 6 yrs. 3 mos. 

Nor Youth nor Innocence could /'ave, 
Eliza from the in/^atiable Grave I 
But cease our Tears; no longer weep, 
The little Maid doth only /leep: 
Anon /he'll wake and ri/e again, 
And in her Saviour's arms remain. 

John Crease, Dec. 8, 1800, — 33. 

How lov'd how valued once, avails the not 
To whome related or by whome begot; 
A heap of dufts alone remains of thee, 
Tis all thou art and all the proud /hall be. 

Rebecca Perkins, March 16, 1802, — 19 yrs. 7 mo. 

My friends and Parents do not mourn. 
Nor drop one tear now I am gone; 
Where 1 am gone, I am at re/t; 
Pray think me number'd with the ble/t. 

John James, Dec. 22, 1803, — 47. 

Tho' worms destroy this Body's skin, 

Yet I shall see my Lord; 
He'll build my Body up again, 

For I believe his word. 
My God that lives above the skies 

Shall safely guard my clay, 
Till he shall bid it to arise 

At the great Judgement day. 

21 



William N. Steel, Dec. 21, 181 5, — 3 mo. 6ds. 

Just like an early rose, 

We've seen an infant bloom. 
But sadder oft before it blows 
Death lay in the tomb. 

Susanna Gray, July 9, 1798, — 42. 

Stranger as this spot you tread. 
And meditate upon the Dead; 
Improve the moments as they fly, 
For all that lives must shortly die. 

Stephen Kent Chadwick, Apr. 27, 1790, — 2 yrs. 8 mo. 

Beneath this Stone doth lye 
as much Virtue, as could dye. 
Which when alive did vigor give, 
to as much Beauty as could live. 

Mrs. Jerusha Caddall, died Nov. 14, 1771, aged 30: 

O cruel death that would not to us fpare 
a loveing wife a kind Companion Dear 
great grief it is to friends that's left behind 
but she we hope eternal Joys did find. 

Mrs. Jane Carter, died July 28, 1772, aged 57: 

In death's cold Arms our Bodys Lays, 
Until we hear the Sound: 
Then shall we rife our God to prai/e, 
And leave the meaner Ground. 

John GoflF. Feb. 26, 1807, — 44. 

My glass is run, my life is spent 
My earthly temple was but lent; 
Why should I wish a length of years, 
To spend in such a vale of tears. 

Hannah Newhall, Apr. 29, 1785. 

O cruel death that would not to me spare, 
A loving wife a kind companion dear. 
She now her saviour's beauty does behold. 
And joins to sing his prai/e on harps of gold. 

Elizabeth Brown, Dec. 11, 1803, — 35. 

When the last scene the closing hour drew nigh. 
And earth receded from her swooning eye. 
Tranquil she left this transitory scene. 
By faith she fix'd her ardent hopes on high 
In Jesus mercies, and in him did die. 
So shall her grave with rising flowers be drcst, 
And the green turf lie lightly on her breast; 
Here shall she mom her earliest tears bestow; 
Here the first roses of the year shall blow, 
While angels with their silver wings o'er shade 
The ground now sacred by her relics made. 
Then rest in peace beneath this sculptur'd stone, 
Till Jesus' trumpet call thee to his throne. 

22 



Nathaniel Lewis, May 12, 1778, — 42. 

What's Fame, a fancy'd life in other's breath 
A thing beyond us ev'n before our Death. 
A Wit's a feather and a Chief's a rod 
An hone/t Man's the noble Work of God. 

Sally Goodwin, Aug. 23, 1781, — 25. 

My hope is fix'd my Spirit's free, 
Longing my Saviour for to See; 
Such joy and bli/s, doth fill my /oul. 
Nothing on earth does me control, 
My loving Hu/Tjand and Infant /mall 
My Parents dear I leave you all ; 
My Soul doth wing the heavenly way. 
My Saviour's call I muft obey, 
Read this and weep but not for me, 
Who willing was to part with thee; 
That I may reft with Chri/t above, 
In peace and joy and endless love. 

Elijah Adams, Aug. 25, 1798, — 61. 

Death thou haft conquer'd me, 

1 by thy Dart am slain, 

But Chri/t will conquer thee. 
And I shall rife again. 

4 Children of Jabez & Lydia Sweet, aged 4, 10, 12 & 14 mos. 

Stay gentle reader, view this spot of Earth, 
Sacred to virtue, innocence, and worth. 
Four infant roses, budding in the morn, 
Shed their sweet fragrance in life's early dawn, 
Entwin'd their parent stems, so fond carefd 
Each gave one smile, to glad the pensive brea/t. 
And dropp'd and wither'd, died! Here seek repose, 
Till Christ transplant them in the groves above. 
To bloom immortal in the joys of love. 

John Buckley, Jr., Aug. 23, 1798,-23. 

In Peace here refts a Traveller's Duft, 

His Journey's at an End; 

He priz'd E/teem among the Ju/t, 

A Cen/ure from a Friend, 

"Broke loofe from Time's tenacious Chains, 

And Earth's revolving Gloom, 

To range at large in va/t Domains, 

Of radiant World's to come." 

Mr. Caleb Dinsdale Champney, died Oct. 4, 1802, aged 26: 

To part with worth invaluable, 

to feel regret mantled in sympathy; 

To lose the richest treasure Heaven 

bestows ; to realize the agonizing 

Pang of separation, and still bear 

misfortunes cruel lash ; 

Is the lot of man, But resignation 

tempers every scene 

And points our warmest, fondest hopes to Hearen. 

23 



Mrs. Sarah Champney, died Oct. 13, 1800, aged 60: 

The joys of faith triumphant ri^e, 
And wing the fovd above the skies. 

Mrs. Deborah Blake, d. in 1791, aged 21 years: 

"Friend, as you pass, suppress the falling tear; 
You wish her out of heaven to wish her here." 

Mrs. Martha Cabot, d. in 1809, aged 60: 

"So unaffected, so compos'd a mind. 
So firm, yet soft, so strong, yet so refin'd, 
Wasteing disease and pain severely tri'd, 
The saint sustain'd it, but the woman di'd." 

Capt. William and Mrs, Mary Burke, d. 1787: 

"They were lovely and pleasant in their lives, 
and in their deaths they were not divided." 

Mrs. Mary Hughes, d. in 1765, aged 46 : 

"Time, What an empty vapour t'ls, 
And days, how /wift they flay: 

Our life is ever on the Wing, 
And Death is ever nigh. 

The Moment when our Lives begin, 
We all begin to die." 

Mr. Prince Chew, died Oct. 21, 1803, aged 38: 

Depart my friends dry up your tears 
I mu^t lie here till Chri/t appears. 

Mrs. Ann Clough, died April 2, 1772, aged 52: 

My Parent gone, Great Heaven, oh tell me where 
Where may I drop my imaffccted Tear. 
In filial Gratitude where may I weep 
In grateful Silence lull my Soul to fltep 
May I awake in Heaven and find her there 
Where endle/'s Rapture quell each rifing Care. 

Timothy Gay, d. in 1799, aged 36: 

He was diligent in business, faithful 

to his friends, and affectionate to his family. 

"Life little Stage is a small Eminence, 

Inch high the Grave above; that Home of Man, 

Where dwells the Multitude: We gaze around; 

We read their Monuments; We sigh; and while 

We sigh, we sink, and are what we deplor'd." 

Mrs. Abigail Cogswell, died Jan. 19, 1782, aged 43: 

To those who for their loss are griev'd 
This Consolation's given, 
They're from a world of woe reliev'd 
We trust they're now in heaven. 

Mr. Isaac Cole, died Oct. 20, 1801, aged 9 mos. : 

Sleep on sweet babe & take your rest, 
God call'd you home, he thought it best 

24 




O 

o 



Mrs. Sarah Collins, died March 29, 1771, aged 62: 

Be ye also Ready for you 
Know not the Day nor hour. 

Mrs. Johanna Connor, died Dec. 29, 1799, aged 45: 

Go home my friends, dry up your Tears 
I muft lie here till Christ appears. 

Mr. John Lambard Cooper, died Nov. 17, 1805, aged 60: 

Here rests the dead, from pain & sorrow free; 
He's gone to Heaven, we trust, O God to thee; 
His bright examples, may we make our own 
So far in Chri/'t, as he himself was known. 

Mr. Elijah Corlew, died May 25, 1804, aged 31 yrs. : 

Lo ! soft remembrance drops a piteous tear 
And holy friendship stands a mourner here. 

Levi Cutler, died Jan. 7, 1821, aged 6 mos., 6 days: 

Altho death so soon has laid his frame 
To moulder here beneath the sod 
The little spark of heavenly flame 
Now dwells in paradise with God. 

Mrs. Eliza Davis, died Feb. 14, 1806, aged 24: 

She's gone from pain & sorrow free 
To rest to all eternity. 

Isaac Howard Davis, died May 8, 1807, aged 20 mos., 28 days : 

Sleep sleep sweet Babe Death's done no harm 
Christ Jesus calls thee to his arms. 

Miss Emmy Dillaway, died October 11, 1813, aged 34: 

Sleep sweet Soul thy days are ended 
All thy mourning days below; 
Go by Angel guards attended. 
To the sight of Jesus go. 

Mrs. Mary Farmer, died Nov. 4, 1798, aged 68: 

Stop here my friend and ca/t an eye 
Consider well that you must die 
Wi/ely conduct that fo you may 
Triumph in Christ at the la/t day. 

Miss Mary Fitzgerald, died Sept. 30, 1787, aged 19: 

Virtue & youth juft in the morning bloom 
With the fair Mary finds an early Tomb. 

Capt. Nathaniel Glasier, died May 27, 1812, aged 30: 

Long may his grave with riseing flowers be drest 
And the green turf lie lightly on his breast 

25 



Mr. Edward Grant, died June 28, 1797, aged 78: 

When the laft trumphet^ breathes the rending ^ound. 
And wakes the Sleeping nations under ground, 
Then /hall you in the ranks of /aints appear, 
And in your hand a golden sceptre bear. 

Mrs. Mary Harvey, died May 2, 1782, aged 63: 

Mark, Traveller, this humble stone 
'Tis death's kind warning to prepare 
Thou too must haften to the tomb 
And mingle with corruption there. 

Mr. Holton Porter Johnson, died Jan. 16, 1814, aged 20: 

Dear brother rest in quiet slumber. 
Till the resurrection morn, 
In thy Saviour's second coming 
He will raise the from the tomb. 

John S. Johnson, died Sept. 9, 1829, aged 6: 

See the lovely blooming flower, 
Fades and withers in an hour 
So our transient comforts fly. 
Pleasure only bloom to die. 

Miss Hannah Langford, died Nov. 19, 1796, aged 15 : 

Nor youth, nor innocence, could save 
Hannah, from the infatiable Grave, 
But cezfe our tears, no longer weep. 
The little Maid doth only sleep; 
Annon she'll wake, and rife again 
And in her Savior's arms remain. 

Miss Rosetta Jane Lewis, died Aug. 10, 1812, aged 12 : 

Adieu my dear b'loved child 

I give the back to God; 

With flowers I'll deck thy early grave. 

And kiss the chastening rod. 

Mrs. Lydia Mason, died Dec. 30, 1803, aged 29 : 

Her peaceful Soul has fled 
From this vain World of Sin, 
With her two Infants dear are laid 
Soon to rife never to fall again. 

Mrs. Martha McClintock, died Oct. 13, 1798, aged 67: 

Time was like thee I life profeft 
And time shall be when you shall rest 

Mrs. Ann McMillian, died Feb. 28, 1805, aged 81 : 

Happy soul thy days are ended; 
All thy mourning days below; 
Go, by angel guards attended. 
To the sight of Jesus go. 

26 



Mary Morgan, died Jan. i6, 1815, aged 3: 

She left a world of 
sorrow sin & pain, 
Wish not to call her 
back to life again. 

Mr. John Policy, died, Oct. 3, 1787, aged 23: 

May guardian Cherubs watch their sacred tnift, 
Till recent life reanimates his du/t. 

Mrs. Hariot Jacobus, died, May 27, 1812, aged 20: 

Stop here my friends as you pass by, 
As you are now, so once was I; 
As I am now, so you must be, 
Therefore prepare to follow me. 

Mr. Nathaniel Richardson, died Sept. 10, 181 5, aged 34: 

My tender wife don't mourn for me, 
Tis here my earthly sorrows end; 
Prepare yourself in youthful days. 
In silence here to meet your friend. 

Mr. Henry Roby, died Nov. 9, 1807, aged 85: 

Supported by that hope which as an anchor 
to the soul, is sure and steadfast, he desired 
to depart, and be with the Lord Jesus Christ 

Thomas Valentine Sullivan, died Oct. 29, 1795, aged 10 mos., 
9 days : 

He came forth like a flower 

and was cut down; 

he flew zlfo as a shadow, and continued not 

Mrs. Lucy Swier, died Oct. 11, 1795, aged 63: 

And though after my skin worms destroy 

this body, 

yet in my flesh shall i see god. 

Mr. George Tompkins, died Oct. 21, 1801, aged 25: 

Beneath this humble Stone here lies a Youth, 

Who^e Soul was Goodne/^s, and whofe Heart 

was Truth, 

Crop't like a Flow'r he wither'd in his 

Bloom, 

Tho' flattering Life had promis'd Years to come. 

George Wardell, died Dec, 5, 1802, aged 2 yrs., 7 mos.: 

Here re/ts sweet innocence and love 
His soul is fled to joys above. 

Miss Frances Clark Bryant, died April 14, 1814, aged 18: 

Though early frost has nipt the blooming flower 
She is not lost but only gone before. 

27 



Mrs. Hannah Brown, died March 29, 1810, aged 50: 

Mother and friend, our heavy lo/s is thy eternal gain; 

Thou'rt run thy race, haft borne thy cro^s 

And art relea/'d from pain. 

May we whom thou haft left below 

Like the fulfill our part. 

Like the when Jesus bids us go, 

Be ready to depart. 

Living like the, re/^igned like the 

Be reunited in Eternity. 

Mrs. Nancy Brown, died Oct. 3, 1804, aged 25 : 

Here sleeps the precious dust, she shin's above, 
Whose soul was harmony, whose soul was love 
What were her virtu's? all that Heaven could spare, 
What were her graces? all divinely fair; 
Mingling with Angels, they admire a guest. 
As spotless good & lovely as the rest. 

Mr. George Cabot, died Feb. 5, 1804, aged 20: 

After a long and distressing sickness which he 
bore with meekness and resignation in hope of a 
glorious immortality. 

Mr. Henry Blake, Sr., died Oct. 25, 1805, aged 56: 

Why do we mourn departed friends 
Or shake at death's alarms? 
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends, 
To call them to his arms. 

Mr, Joseph Blake, died Dec. 2, 1805, aged 26: 

In life respected 
In death lamented. 

Capt. Ralph Beatley, died Oct. 16, 1804, aged 42: 

While holy friendship drops the precious tear 
And mournful garlands deck the hallow'd bier. 
Can bounteous Heav'n a greater solace give 
Than that which whispers "Friends Departed Live." 

Mr. Daniel Bemis, died Sept. 30, 1818, aged 59: 

In peace his ashes rest beneath this sod, 
His soul has flown to meet its saviour God, 
Where joy celestial reigns for evermore. 
And all the toils of this vain life are o'er. 

Miss Jemima Adams, died March 14, 1773. aged 25: 

Be ye also Ready for at such an Hour as 
you think not the son of Man cometh. 

Mrs. Abigail Barker, died Dec. 19, 1812, aged ^7: 

My work was short, I sweetly rest; 
God took me home, when he saw best; 
I am not lost, I shall arise 
When Christ descends the lower sky. 

28 



Mr. William Brazer, died Dec. 17, 1813, aged 39: 

Calmly he welcomed death, his soul resign'd 
To him who shed his blood to save mankind. 

Miss Elizabeth Ann Bruce, died March 12, 1815, aged iQmos. : 

Death's shadow pass'd the spirit flies, 
On Angel's wings through crystal skies 
Up to the ever living throne, 
Where Misery forgets to moan. 

A great deal of local history and tradition is connected with 
Copp's Hill, but so fragmentary in character that no proper 
sequence can be found in the narration. 

It is presumed that in 1621 the Plymouth folk landed under 
the shadow of the hill, as told by Prince in his "Chronology": 
"The Governor chuses 10 men with Squanto and two other 
savages, to go in the shallop, Tuesday, Sept 18; at midnight, 
the tide serving, we set sail ; next day got into the bottom of 
Massachusetts Bay, about 20 leagues north from Plymouth, and 
anchor next morning, we land under a cliff. The sachem of 
this place is Obbatinewat." 

The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company is associated 
more or less with Copp's Hill. The company once claimed 
ownership of part of the hill, under the terms of an old mort- 
gage, and tried to prevent the transfer of the Sewall purchase. 
The matter was adjusted, and, after the evacuation of Boston 
by the British, when the company again laid claim, the obliga- 
tion was satisfactorily discharged. While the British troops 
were still in Boston the company was forced to use Copp's Hill 
as a parade ground, instead of the Common, as thus told in the 
company's minutes: 

"In 177s, before the Artillery Company suspended its meetings, the Com- 
mon was occupied by the British army, and the Artillery Company were 
refused admittance. Capt. Bell, therefore, marched to Copp's Hill. Soon 
after the bridge over Charles River was built, there was a complaint against 
the street at the foot of this hill. It was supposed the proprietors of that 
part of the hill enclosed from Snowhill street ought to repair the wharf 
and street at their own expense. This led to inquiry, in town-meeting, to 
whom it belonged ; some one said it belonged to this company. Col. Jack- 
son, their Treasurer, was sent for. and declared he considered it their prop- 
erty, a mortgage upon it to them having long run out, and that Capt. Bell, 
with his company, had taken possession of it in 1775. Capt. Bell was then 
interrogated by Col. Dawes, the Moderator: Why did you march your com- 
pany to Copp's Hill? Answer: I was prohibited from entering the Common; 
conceiving this hill to be the property of the company, I marched them there, 
as a place no one had a right to exclude them from. Question by Modera- 
tor: Supposing a party of British troops should have been in possession of 
it, and should have forbid your entrance, what would you have done? An- 
swer: I would have charged bayonets, and forced my way as surely as I 
would force my way into my dwelling-house, if taken possession of by a 
gang of thieves. The late Col. Wm. Tudor, who was then present, said: 

29 



'Mr. Moderator, the hill clearly belongs to that company, and I wish they 
would execute a quit claim deed of it to me at a fair price,' The Mortgage 
was discharged afterwards, and the street repaired by the town." 

Closely connected with the history of the hill is the famous 
North Battery beneath it on Hudson's point. It was built by 
Major-General John Leverett in 1646, twenty years earlier than 
the erection of its twin, the South Battery, or Sconce, at the 
foot of Fort Hill. It was built on the petition of the North 
Enders, and at their expense, they praying that they might "for 
the future be freed from all rats and assessments to what other 
fortifications be in the towne untill such time as the other part 
of the towne not ioynninge with us herin shall have disbursed 
and layd out in equall porporcion of their estats with ours as 
by true Acount may apear." 

A committee of inspection reported on both batteries in May, 
1666, saying: "Wee also tooke survey of another worke on the 
north side of Boston, called Merrjes Point, raysed with stones. 
The foundation is defended from the violence of the sea with 
spyles & plancks ; the wall of a considerable thicknes, yet lesse 
safe then the other, by reason of the sharpe edges next the 
cannon & widnes of the ports within, which beinge faced with 
strong timbers, as is intended, will be much better." 

Capt. Edward Johnson of Woburn, in his "Wonder Work- 
ing Providence of Sion's Saviour, in New England," speaks of 
the "very strong battery built of whole timber, and filled with 
Earth at the descent of the Hill in the extreme poynt thereof." 

Daniel Neal, in his description of Boston in 1719, says: 
"There are two Batteries at the North and South Ends of the 
Town, which command the whole Bay, and make it impossible 
for an Enemy's Ship of Burthen to ride there in safety." 

In 1706 the battery was extended 120 feet, with a breadth of 
40 feet, at an expense of £1,000. It was finally sold to Jeffrey 
and Russell, and became Jeffrey's Wharf between 1787 and 
1796. To-day it is appropriately called Battery Wharf. 

The site of the North Battery was, possibly, where Win- 
throp's company landed, and where Anne Pollard, the first 
white woman to tread on Boston soil, jumped ashore. Here, 
too, was Francis Hudson's ferry landing. From the Battery, 
also, the 52d, 43d, and 47th British regiments, together with 
detachments of grenadiers, light infantry and marines, embarked 
for Bunker Hill ; and here, after the battle, the wounded were 
brought ashore. At the time of the evacuation, the Battery was 
armed with seven 12-pounders, two 9-pounders, and four 
6-pounders, all left dismantled. In the old days of short range 
guns, the North Battery was regarded as of great importance, 
because covering the harbor, the mouth of the Charles, and thfl 
entrance to the Town Cove. 

30 



In May, 1644, while the civil war was raging in England, a 
parliamentary man-of-war of 24 guns, Capt. Thomas Stagg, 
sailed into the harbor and demanded the surrender of a Bristol 
ship of 100 tons then in port. All the townspeople assembled 
on Windmill Hill to watch the expected hostilities. The Bristol 
craft, however, prudently surrendered. 

In June, two years before, the windmill was struck by light- 
ning, shattering the sail, breaking the standard and riving off 
the boards of the sides, beside setting on fire the sacks in the 
mill. "The miller, being under the mill upon the ground chop- 
ping a piece of board, was struck dead; but company coming 
in found him to breathe, and within an hour or two he began to 
stir, and strove with such force, as six men could scarce hold 
him down. The next day he came to his senses, but knew 
nothing of what had befallen him." 

The surrender of Quebec was celebrated by a great bonfire 
on Copp's Hill. "45 Tar Barrels, 2 Cords of Wood, a mast, 
spars, and boards, with 50 lbs. of powder were set in a blaze; 
this, with a similar illumination on Fort Hill, was paid for by 
the province, together with 32 Gallons of Rum and much Beer." 

In 1765, the year of the repeal of the Stamp Act, Copp's Hill 
was the scene of the part of the celebration of the anniversary 
of the powder plot on Nov. 5, as thus told in the Massachusetts 
Gazette : "About noon the Pageantry, representing the Pope, 
Devil and several other Effigies were brought in stages and met 
at King-street, where the Union (between the factions from 
the north and south ends) previously entered into by the lead- 
ers, was established in a very ceremonial manner, and having 
given three huzzas, they interchanged ground." After parading, 
they "proceeded to the Tree of Liberty, under the shadow of 
which they refreshed themselves for awhile and then retreated 
northward, agreeably to the plan. They reached Copp's Hill 
before six o'clock, where they halted, and having enkindled 
a fire, the whole Pageantry was committed to the flames and 
consumed. This being finished, every person was requested 
to their respective houses." This was the customary observ- 
ance of the day. 

On January 24, 1793, a barbecue was held on Copp's Hill in 
honor of the French Revolution. After the feast the horns of 
the ox were fixed to a pole sixty feet high and triumphantly 
raised in Liberty Square. 

Copp's Hill figured quite conspicuously in the Revolution. 
Works were erected by the British on the summit, near the 
southwestern corner of the ground. They were hastily thrown 
up and never completed, comprising but a few barrels of earth 
arranged as parapets. There was a small earthwork to the rear 
designed as a shelter for infantry. The battery consisted of 

31 



three 28-pounders, on carriages, which were left spiked after 
the evacuation. Here Clinton and Burgoyne witnessed the 
Battle of Bunker Hill and directed the fire of the little battery. 
One of the shells from Copp's Hill, aiding the fire of the ships 
in the harbor, is said to have started the conflagration in 
Charlestown. Traces of the works remained on the hill until 
the summit was lowered in 1807. It was from the North Bat- 
tery below, that Clinton rushing down the hill when he saw 
his veterans quailing, took boat and crossed over to the Charles- 
town shore to aid Howe. 

On the south corner of the new burying-ground, added in 
1809 and fronting on Hull street, stood the old gun-house of the 
Columbian artillery, afterwards removed to make room for 
tombs built in 1827. At the celebration of the completion of 
the bridge from the old ferry landing to Charlestown in 1786, 
salutes were fired from Copp's Hill, as well as from the Castle 
and Breed's Hill. 

The gas-works at the foot of Copp's Hill, the most prominent 
feature of the neighborhood, were erected in 1828, and gas first 
made in December of that year. It was not used to illuminate 
the City in general until 1834. 

All this time the change in the character of the surroundings 
of Copp's Hill which we described in the beginning has been 
slowly going on, the old houses decaying or being replaced and 
all but a few of the old families removing far from the vicinity. 
There still dwell on Copp's Hill a number of the Dodds, God- 
dards, Pitmans and Adamses of the early days, but the place 
generally has acquired a new and changing appearance. 

Perhaps the earliest example of the term "Copp's Hill," in 
our printed records, is found in the "Selectmen's minutes of 
January 21, 172,5-26." 



32 



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